Needs more butter

Football Manager 2018: The Man Utd “Challenge” Part 7

January was a good month for us, regaining top spot and going 3 points clear of Arsenal. Getting knocked out of the FA Cup wasn’t good but at least we can concentrate on just the League and Champions League. Our good league performance was acknowledged as well.

It’s a short month with only 4 games and we begin with a home game against Huddersfield who are bottom. With Arsenal right behind us, I decided to keep an eye on them and…

This game isn’t very realistic…

Even though we dominated the game we conceded twice and was 2-1 down for at least 30 seconds. A brace from Mkhitaryan put us back in front and then Phil Jones sealed the win 5 minutes from time. Happy with the win the 2 goals we conceded were because of De Gea who came out of the game with a 6.2 rating.

A trip to London Stadium next and an emphatic win over West Ham, we actually took most of the chances we created this time instead of wasting them. Mkhitaryan got us underway, Pogba played it to him, he cut inside and fire past Joe Hart. A 20 yard volley from Arnautovic leveled things up and it’s hard to mad when you concede a goal like that. Then 4 goals in 13 minutes killed the game for West Ham Williams and Rashford both scoring twice. The pick of which was Rashford’s 1st, Pogba’s pass was deflected away from goal but Rashford hit it first time from just outside the box and it flew in past Hart. Blind’s poor backpass allowed Sakho to pull a goal with 20 minutes left but in stoppage time Rashford grabbed his first career hattrick, turning in from Mkhitaryan’s freekick.

Right after the game, I noticed this, if I can get him for a decent price then he’ll certainly be a Man Utd player.

The 1st leg of our Champions League tie went well, in the end. Navas put Sevilla in front with their first shot typically. Right before half time Herrera made 1-1 from the penalty spot. 10 minutes into the 2nd half Shaw’s cross was headed in at the back post by Williams to put us in front for the 1st time. Williams doubled his tally when he headed Mkhitaryan’s cross in at the back post, sealing a good 3-1 win for us. Shaw got sent off late on but it didn’t matter too much, he was given a warning after the game.

Even though he accepted his warning he now opposes me…

As does Romero, probably because he rarely plays. Also, no one supports me, not even my best friend Carrick, whats up with that.

Going into the Derby, City are in 10th place and Guardiola is no longer in charge but despite that, it’s City who take the lead. Herrera gives the ball away needlessly and City counter, Aguero puts Jesus in behind and he beats De Gea at his near post. De Gea should have saved it, he’s conceding goals that he really shouldn’t be. Right after half time, it’s our turn to counter attack and it ends with Williams passing to Martial who then slots it past Ederson. 1-1 was a fair result it was quite an even game, it now looks like Man City will not be getting European football. They have a few players I wouldn’t mind having.

Right before the end of the month, we have the most exciting day of the year, Regen Day!

We only sign 3 players from the batch above but overall I’m happy with what we got.

Darren Jewell, a diamond in the rough, JJ Clark, he has 20 aggression and “Ross Nelson”… really?

With 9 games to go, we sit top of the table, 3 points clear, if I don’t win the league from here, is it a bottle job?

I said in the last part that I’d be happy with 7 points and a win in the Champions League and that’s exactly what we got.

Some interesting games next month, but looking at it we should at least get 10 points. Even if Crystal Palace are currently in 5th. We should see off Sevilla as well and have Champions League draw for the quarterfinals. Exciting stuff coming up, stay tuned.